Summertime cocktails

Summertime means holidays, parties and spending a lot of time outside on the terrace or the beach. For this season you want food that is simple and fresh with contrasting flavours.(sabores) To go with the food you can simply drink cold beer or chilled (fresquito) white wine. But why not be a bit more adventurous this summer and make your own (tus propios) cocktails? These will make any summer evening pass in a more pleasant way.

 

The Noble Sangria

Sangria has a bad reputation because of its association with British and German tourists that drink litres of it with their paella. However, it is a versatile drink that goes well (combina bien) with a lot of different food. There are many variations but the basic ingredients are red wine, pieces of fruit (usually oranges and lemons), sugar, carbonated water and ice cubes.(cubitos de hielo) You can also add a little brandy or triple sec, and substitute cava for sparkling water.(agua con gas) You do not need to use expensive wine. A decent bottle of table wine will suffice.(será suficiente)

Champagne Cocktails

Champagne or cava is a good base for many different types of cocktails. A classic combination is champagne and fresh orange juice which is called a Buck’s Fizz (named after Buck’s Club in London, where it was invented). Italians like to add peach juice (zumo de melocotón) to make a Bellini, which originated in Harry’s Bar in Venice. You can experiment with different combinations of fruit blended (mezclada) together, using strawberries (fresas) or blackcurrants (moras) to give intense flavours and colours.

   

Mojitos

One cocktail that is always a success (éxito) is the Mojito. The classic Mojito originates from Cuba, where its principal ingredients – rum and sugar – are grown. Its sweet, citrusy, (con sabor cítrico) minty (con sabor a menta) flavour comes from gently mashing (moliendo) mint leaves (hojas de menta) with sugar and lime juice. When the flavours are infused together add the rum and stir,(remueve) and then add some carbonated water and ice cubes. The traditional way to prepare this drink is with sugar cane juice, which gives the drink a more intense flavour.

Cocktail Equipment

It is fun to set up (montar) a cocktail table when you have a party and let the guests (invitados) make their own cocktails. Apart from the different spirits (licores) and drinks, you will need some basic equipment: a cocktail shaker (coctelera) and strainer,(colador) measuring cups,(jarras graduadas) a whisk (batidora) and some cocktail glasses. You can give guest some ideas for drinks by printing some cocktail recipes from the Internet and leaving them on the table. You can have a cocktail making competition to see who can make the best drink!

   

Nibbles (cosas para picar)

The danger with drinking cocktails is that you do not know exactly how much alcohol is in them, and you can easily get drunk (emborracharse) quickly. One way to avoid (evitar) this is to ensure (asegurarse) you eat snacks and nibbles with your drinks. Savoury (salado) snacks can be olives, nuts pieces of cheese and ham, or wedges (tacos) of omelette.(tortilla) For something sweet try fruit kebabs made with grapes (uvas) and strawberries and pieces of melon and peach. Enjoy the party!